More Articles news

comment

Two men from New Rochelle have been indicted on attempted murder charges for their roles in the shooting of a Yonkers police officer last September.

Jerry Reyes, 22, and Frank Valencia, 18, have been indicted on charges that include criminal possession of a weapon, attempted aggravated murder and assault for their roles in the shooting of Police Officer Kayla Maher last year. The pair is due to be arraigned in Westchester County Court on Tuesday.

Shortly after 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25 last year, officers, including Maher was dispatched to the area of Marshall Road, near Ridge Drive, following reports of a suspicious vehicle that was occupied by two suspects.

Upon her arrival, one of the suspects produced a gun, and started shooting at Maher, who returned fire. The officer, who was from the 3rd Precinct, was struck in the jaw by gunfire.

Maher was released from the hospital on the following day, just hours after she was fired upon.

As many as five officers exchanged gunfire with the suspects, police said, whose identities of have not been released as charges are pending against them.

Officials hailed Maher as a "hero," and praised the officer who helped get her out of harm's way amidst a shootout.

"Valencia stands accused of perpetrating one of the most heinous of violent acts, the attempted murder of one of our police officers; his alleged actions were an assault on Officer Maher, the Yonkers Police Department, and the community we serve," Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner said following the shooting. "Due to the bravery and courage of our police officers, Valencia and Reyes were taken into custody and have been delivered into the Criminal Justice System where they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”